Quick Answer
The answer is Active Directory over LDAPS, which is the correct solution to encrypt vCenter Server authentication traffic when integrating with an external identity source. LDAPS wraps standard LDAP communication in SSL/TLS, ensuring that credentials and authentication data are encrypted in transit rather than sent in plaintext. On the VMware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization VCP-DCV exam, this question tests your understanding of secure identity source configuration—a common trap is assuming standard LDAP is acceptable, but it transmits credentials unencrypted and fails the security requirement. NTLM is not supported as a direct identity source for vCenter Single Sign-On, and local OS authentication bypasses corporate credentials entirely. To remember this, think of the “S” in LDAPS as “Secure”—if you need encryption, always add the S.
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company wants to integrate vCenter Server with an external identity source to allow users to authenticate using their corporate credentials. The administrator must ensure that authentication traffic is encrypted. Which solution should the administrator implement?
Local OS authentication on vCenter Server
Why wrong: Local authentication does not use corporate credentials.
Active Directory over NTLM
Why wrong: NTLM is not a supported identity source type for vCenter Single Sign-On.
Active Directory over LDAPS
LDAPS uses SSL/TLS to encrypt authentication traffic.
Active Directory over LDAP
Why wrong: LDAP transmits credentials in plaintext, which is not encrypted.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Active Directory over LDAPS
Option B is correct because Active Directory over LDAPS encrypts authentication traffic with SSL/TLS. Option A is wrong because standard LDAP transmits credentials in plaintext. Option C is wrong because NTLM authentication is not supported as a direct identity source for vCenter Single Sign-On. Option D is wrong because local OS authentication does not use corporate credentials.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Local OS authentication on vCenter Server
Why it's wrong here
Local authentication does not use corporate credentials.
Active Directory over NTLM
Why it's wrong here
NTLM is not a supported identity source type for vCenter Single Sign-On.
Active Directory over LDAPS
Why this is correct
LDAPS uses SSL/TLS to encrypt authentication traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Active Directory over LDAP
Why it's wrong here
LDAP transmits credentials in plaintext, which is not encrypted.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the VCP-DCV exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
vSphere Security — This question tests vSphere Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Active Directory over LDAPS — Option B is correct because Active Directory over LDAPS encrypts authentication traffic with SSL/TLS. Option A is wrong because standard LDAP transmits credentials in plaintext. Option C is wrong because NTLM authentication is not supported as a direct identity source for vCenter Single Sign-On. Option D is wrong because local OS authentication does not use corporate credentials.
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This VCP-DCV practice question is part of Courseiva's free VMware certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the VCP-DCV exam.
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